Wunü Mountain

Wunü Shan (Chinese: 五女山; pinyin: Wǔnǚ Shān; Korean: 오녀산 Onyeosan), which means "mountain of Five Women", is a mountain of historical and cultural significance located in the north of the town of Huanren, in Huanren Manchu Autonomous County, Liaoning Province, China. The tallest peak is the 821 metre-high Main Peak. Jolbon, the birthplace of the ancient Korean kingdom of Goguryeo and its capital from 37 BC to 3 AD, was in Wunü Mountain.

Wunü Shan
Boot-sole-like profile of Wunü Mountain
Highest point
Elevation821 m (2,694 ft)
Listing
Coordinates41°19.6′N 125°24.7′E 
Geography
LocationLiaoning, China
Climbing
Easiest routecable car

History

Wunü Shan has a long history of human living. Recent years some archaeologists found historical remains and relics on the mountain. The oldest ones that had been proven are the potteries of the late Neolithic Age, more than 4,500 years ago. Those relics also include some human-used weapons and producing tools which have thousands of years of history. According to the Samguk Sagi, Goguryeo was founded above the mountain in 37 BC, and the mountain city remained its capital until King Yuri moved it to Gungnae Fortress in 3 AD. In contemporary sources, the city was called Holbon fortress(홀본성) in the Gwanggaeto Stele and Heulseunggol fortress(흘승골성) in Records of the Three Kingdoms. During the North-South States Period in Unified Shilla, it was recorded as Jolbon fortress(졸본성). During Goryeo period, according to Goryeosa, it was called Oros mountain fortress(오로산성) or Ura mountain fortress(우라산성).

Today's name of Wunü Mountain derives from a Chinese legend that five ladies from Tang Dynasty defended the mountain from foreign invaders.

In 1424 when the third king of Jurchen Li Manzhu invaded Liaoning with his troops, they quartered at this mountain and founded the Manchu tribe.[1]

Location

Wunü Shan is located in the northeast of Huanren County and the northwest of the Hun Jiang River, 8 km from the county. Its main peak measures 821 metres above sea level, has a length of 1,500 m from the north to the south side and a width of 300 m from the east to the west side. Its central coordinate is 41°19’36"N,125°24’44"E.[1]

Natural significance

Wunü Shan is located in the north temperate zone so it has four distinct seasons. There are more than 60 natural tourist spots. In the spring and summer one will find flowers, trees, butterflies, and birds, and there are tourist ships that travel down the river. In the fall, the mountain turns red because of the famous Chinese sweet gums. In the winter, the mountain receives snow.

Cultural significance

Wunü Shan has all the elements of a defensive city wall, temple, palace, barn, barracks, water source, and a city wall of more than 200 metres above sea level. Therefore, the Goguryeo kingdom could quarter at the mountain for extended periods in the cold weapon era.[2]

Prominence
  • 1994 Awarded as the Most Protected Culture Relic
  • 1999 One of the Top10 National Archaeological Discovery
  • 2002 Rated as AAAA Class National Tourist Spot
  • 2004 Nominated on the UNESCO World Heritage List[2]
  • Sole-like profile of Wunü Mountain
  • Present-day pillar at the entrance to the Wunü Mountain complex, with the three-legged bird finial
  • A rock inscribed with the name of Wunü Mountain City, and the UNESCO logo
  • Goguryeo-era western gate of Wunü Mountain City
  • Shrine to the five women after whom Wunü Mountain is named
  • Remains of a Goguryeo-era building at Wunü Mountain City
  • Remains of a Goguryeo-era residence at Wunü Mountain City
  • View of the vast reservoir neighboring Wunü Mountain
  • Goguryeo-era Wunü Mountain City wall
  • Wunü Mountain entrance through the narrow TianChang Gate
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See also

References
  1. "Wu Nu Shan". travel.tom.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004.
  2. "The Historically Famous Wu Nu Shan". baike.baidu.com.
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